Improvement in lamp-burners



J. P. SMITHBRS.

Lamp-Burner.

No. 208,429. Patented Sept. 24,1878.'-

" hamm/arf wmbmm. l fj f/ 'UNITED STAT-Es PATENT OEEICE.

JOSEPH l?. SMITHERS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN LAM P-BURNERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 208,429, dated September 24, 1878; application filed August 19, 1878.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, JOSEPH P. SMITHERs, of Brooklyn, Kings county, N ew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lamp-Burners, of which the following is a sp ecication My improvement applies to the wick-tube portion ofthe ordinaryiiat-wickburner; and the object of my invention is to so construct the wick-tube as to prevent the existence of channels around the wick, through which the flame might communicate with the explosive atmosphere that may be formed within the lamp.

To this end the main feature of my invention consists in forming the wick-tube with the upper end loose, as usual, to permit the free passage of the top of the wick, but with its lower end of reduced size, adapted to closely embrace the wick where it enters the reservoir, and thus prevent the passage of flame therethrough.

The invention also consists in a lateral enlargement or chamber on the wick-tube, between its upper and lower ends, which permits the descent of the top of the wick, to effect the adjustment of the ilame, by allowing of the lateral bending or curving of the wick therein.

The invention further consists in forming the wick with one end of reduced thickness, adapted to be easily passed through the reduced end of the wick-tube in inserting the wick.

The annexed drawing presents a vertical section of the lower part of a-n ordinary lampburner provided with my improved wick-tube and wick.

a indicates the upper part of the wick-tube, which is formed a loose or free iit for the wick, as usual, and is provided with the usual ratchet-wheel I), which effects the necessary movement of the wick up or down in the tube. The lower end, A, of the wick-tube, however, is of sufliciently reduced size to tightly embrace the wick on all sides, as represented, and thus prevent the existence of any spaces or channels around the same, which would permit the passing of iiame, thereby securing safety against the ignition and explosion of the contents of the reservoir. This tighttting end'of the tube, while not impairing the raise it through thelowermouth by theupwardv pulling action. The wick tube is therefore provided with a lateral enlargement or chamber, B, intermediate between its tight and loose ends, as shown, into which the wick may be freely lowered in a lateral curve or bend, as shown, thus permitting the necessarymovement of the top of the wick to effect the adjustment of the flame. This ch amber is not essential in all cases-that is, in cases where the ratchet can be arranged very close to the lower tight-fitting mouth of the tube; but, as burners are usually formed, its employment is desii-able in connection with the tighttting tube. This chamber may be formed partly by the interior of the threaded neck of the burner, which is inclosed by a partition, c, below the ratchet, and partly by a rectangular funnelshaped addition, d, below the threaded neck, as shown, and which terminates in the tightfitting mouth A, or in any other suitable manner that will occur to the manufacturer.

The wick f is formed with its lower end of reduced thickness, as shown at C, by weaving that lend thinner or stitching to the same a thin piece of strong cloth or muslin. This enables the end of the wick to be easily passed through the reduced mouth of the tube, which is then seized, and the wick thus drawn into position in the tube, thus enabling the wick to be readily inserted in the burner.

It is well known that as wick-tubes are usually formed their looseness often permits the existence of wick-channels, through which the ilame may readily communicate with the contents of the reservoir. This may properly be said to be one of the main elements of danger in a lamp, and consequently, on the other hand, the great element of safety is the prevention of this condition, which my invention effects, for while the formation of an explosive atmosphere within the oil-reservoir cannot be practically guarded against in all cases, the ignition of this atmosphere can be, and it is obvious that a mixture, however explosive,

must forever remain harmless when the possibility of ignitin g it is prevented. Another advantage of my construction is that it accomplishes this result without tending to heat the oil, as is the case with metallic wick tubes or chambers that are extended down into the oil.

What I claim is- 1. A flat-wick lamp-burner having its flatwick tube formed with au upper loose end t0 permit the free passage of the wick, and a lower end of reduced size, adapted to closely embrace the wick and prevent the passage of ame along the same7 substantially as herein set forth.

2. A flat-wick 1amp-burner having its latwick tube formed with an upper loose-fitting end, adapted to permit the free movement of the wick, and a lower tight-ttin g end, adapted to closely embrace the wick, to prevent the passage of flame, together with an intermediate lateral enlargement or chamber, adapted to allow of the bending of the wick therein when lowered through the loose end of the tube, substantially as herein shown and described.

JOSEPH I. SMITHERS.

Witnesses:

GHAs. M. HIGGINS, W. H. C. SMITH. 

